Silberstein supports what's right, regardless of its popularity
Editor, Townsman:
I will be voting for Debra Silberstein for state senator on Sept. 14. Why? Her unique combination of intelligence, perseverance, and focus is what we need in the Massachusetts Legislature, which for too long has been populated by career politicians and self-serving, say-the-right-thing, do-nothings who enact more laws than we need and do not follow through on commitments to communities and citizens on laws that they enacted. We are desperate for a vocal voice in the state senate. We need a voice that will focus on our priorities, education and jobs. We need an individual who recognizes that governmental commitments for educational funding to all local municipalities must be acknowledged and provided. We need an individual who is not a politician, rather someone who wants to make a difference for us and, most importantly, our children.
Over the course of the last decade I have observed Silberstein seek to right wrongs and make Andover a better community in which to live and raise children. She has demonstrated a continued willingness to take unpopular positions when she believed she was right and, in her role as chairwoman of the Andover School Committee, the education of our children was at risk. She has demonstrated a willingness to pit herself against the supposed majority view of Andover town management to ensure that educational needs of children were met and appropriate funding provided. When push came to shove, town voters always supported her position.
The time has come for us to elect candidates who do not put themselves and re-election first, who do not vote to appease party regulars and officials, and who do not vote only along party lines. We have seen both in Boston and Washington, that this approach results, at best, in inaction and governmental paralysis. The time has come for us to elect candidates who believe that what is right is the right thing to do regardless of personal repercussions. The time is now for a state senator who will listen to us, to our needs and hopes for the future, and aggressively and proactively fight for us.
William L. Gibson
125 Argilla Road
